Lifter for stone blocks and the like



Sept. 24, 1929. w. s. WHYTE AND THE LIKE LIFTER FOR STONE BLOCKS Fil ed Sept. 27, 21

' INVENTOR W/AL/l/V J- IVA/X75 MAMA/ V60 I ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIFTER FOR STONE BLOCKS AND THE LIKE Application filed September 27, 1927.

This invention relates to tools for gripping and lifting blocks of stone and similar articles.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be quickly applied and removed and which when applied securely engages the block to be lifted without danger of its being dropped.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for locking the tool engaged with the block and which cannot be released until the stone engaging elbow is unscrewed.

In carrying out these objects, the invention is susceptible of a wide range of modification without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention; there being shown in the drawings for illustrative purposes a preferred and practical form, in which:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the lifter constituting this invention shown applied with parts broken out and the stone block in connection with which it is used shown in section,

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof,

Fig. 3 is a top planview,

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the locking wedge.

In the embodiment illustrated the lifting device is shown in connection with a stone block 1 having a hole or socket 2 drilled obliquely inward from its upper face to receive a part of the lifting device presently to be described.

The lifter constituting the invention comprises a body member 10 in the form of a heavy metal casting or bar with a downturned head 11 at one end having a pointed nose or bill 12 adapted to be embedded in the stone block 1 as shown in Fig. 1 when the device is in use. This head 11 has a fiat top 13 forming a hammer striking surface for driving the pointed nose 12 into the stone. As shown, this bar or body member 10 is of uniform thickness throughout and at its rear end is straddled by a loop-shaped member 14 having parallel bar engaging arms 15 which extend over the upper edge of the mem- Serial No. 222,355.

ber 10 and are secured thereto by bolts 15 passing through the arms and the bar. This member 141 is designed for the engagement of the hoisting mechanism, not shown, and by means of which the block 1 may be transported to any desired point.

An elbow-shaped connector for uniting the member 10 with the block 1 is pivotally c011- nected at one end with the bar 10 in advance of the member 1 1 and said bolted end is bifurcated and the furcations 18 and 19 straddle the bar 10 from its lower edge and are connected with said bar by a. bolt 20. At the junction of the furcations 18 and 19 is a curved shoulder 21 between which and the lower edge of the bar 10 is designed to be inserted a movable locking wedge 25 which will be presently more fully described. The other end 22 of the elbow-shaped member 17 is in the form of a heavy rod designed to be inserted in the obliquely disposed pocket 2 formed in the stone 1 and cooperates with the nose 12 in holding the lifter engaged with the stone.

The locking wedge 25 which is designed to be inserted between the lower edge of the bar 10 and the curved shoulder 21 of the elbow shaped member 17 has a laterally extending toe 26 at its smaller end which is designed to prevent the wedge from becoming lost when the device is not in use.

After the lifter has been applied as shown in Fig. 1 with the wedge 25 driven into looking position, the wedge cannot be removed until the elbow is unscrewed by removing the bolt 20. It will thus be seen that when the lifter is engaged with the block 1 as shown in the drawings, the curved shoulder 21 will provide mobility and also prevent resting of the wedge on any edge during the lifting operation, which avoids any danger of severing or injury of the wedge.

It is of course understood that in the application of the lifter the arm or prong 22 of the elbow-shaped member 17 is first inserted in the pocket 2 and after the device has been properly adjusted the pointed toe or nose 12 is driven into the stone a sufficient distance to hold the device in gripping engagement with the stone. The locking wedge bad 25 is then driven into operative position and the device is ready for use.

hen it is desired to release the lifter from the block 1 all that is necessary is to unscrew the nut from the bolt 20, remove said bolt and Withdraw the member 17 from the pocket 2, the Wedge 25 being then easily removable, as Will be understood.

Without further description it is thought that thefeatures and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it Will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may I be resorted to, Without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as claimed.

I claim 1. A stone lifter comprising a body member having an integral down-turned nose at one end with a flat top forming a hammer .head, an obliquely disposed member pivotally connected With said body to engage a socket in the stone, and means to extend between said pivotally mounted member and said body for locking said members in operative position.

2. A stone lifter comprising a body member having a down-turned nose at one end, an elbow shaped member pivotally mounted on said body at a point spaced from said nose, one arm of which is designed to engage a socket in the stone to be lifted, and a Wedge for locking the parts in adjusted position.

WILLIAM S. WHYTE. 

